Toryu2020

The box clearly says Sansei-Zu - but if silk dyeing or weaving is involved could it be the subject is Tanabata?

I was able to order thru the website - U.S. address - 8,800 yen for shipping - will have to wait and see for the tariff... ALso note they printed only 500 copies so expect this to be a hot item.

Just announced - he has published his monograph on Nobuie...

The era designations are just tools for kantei, in general swords looked like A in the Koto period and looked like B in the Shinto period. When you do Kantei there is only Koto and Shinto - if you bid on a Shinto smith for a Shinshinto maker they do not say "Wrong period". Of course we like to (need to) break it down further, most of the eras cited are political ones EG Nanbokucho and Muromachi while there are given dates for these periods swordsmiths did not change styles based on a specific date, rather they worked in the style of their teachers and perhaps followed trends seen in the capitals, only changing slowly and if you were out in the country you got the news much later. The time periods are generalizations to help you break down all the tremendous data on makers into digestible bites and think in terms of trends. A smith who was born prior to the Haitorei and who worked primarily in the Shinshinto period is a Shinto smith. Born before the Haitorei but working primarily in the modern era = Gendaito smith. There will always be smiths that overlap these dates, some who are trendsetters and some who only follow the trend later...

The sword is signed SHIMADA YOSHISUKE SAKU or "Made by Shimada Yoshisuke" a well known smith who did not work during the war rather this signature is an homage so the soldier can carry a famous name into battle. The stamp is a SEKI stamp and means the blade was not traditionally made. Even so there will be interest for a sword like this in this condition... -t

There are no better SAGEO than those from Kiryudo... Silk Sageo,Sazanami-Weaving Single color Iaido Japanese swords Katana – Kiryudo/桐生堂

Cord "Sageo" | Sword Accessories | Namikawa Heibei Co Ltd

Koshirae Parts - Namikawa Heibei Co Ltd

There is a nascent group in San Antonio - if interested send me a PM and I will put you in touch. -t

PM Sent

Walter is a good guy - David McDonald is another resource... Japanese Swords, Antique swords, WWII swords, Tsuka-maki, Translations, Restoration, Sell, Buy

I would clarify METHOD TWO - the tip should just clear the floor if you like a longer sword, it should be about an inch above the floor if you like a shorter sword... -tch MJER 7 Dan

I am going to say rather than trying to cram for this like a test, you could hire an expert for the day. There are ex-pats (experts) who are currently living in Japan that specialize in this field. Someone like Paul Martin or better yet Robert Hughes who is on this board could I am sure act as a guide for a day at a small fee, take you to sword shops, help you negotiate deals, help you recognize quality and later handle export procedures. This way you can travel with confidence and avoid a feeling of being lost or unable to communicate thus ensuring a happier experience... -t